Mike and Randy continue to work on getting e transfer ability for club members.

 

Everyone has always been and continues to be welcome to board meetings.  The thought is that having an agenda similar to a regular meeting with a focus on business items and no guest speaker will engage more members to participate.

 

That the Rotary Club of Fonthill Board meetings follow the same agenda as a regular meeting with the omission of the Guest Speaker.

M Hugh S Frank  - carried

 

Paul A indicated that his family participates in an on line Bingo.  We have the Bingo cards to facilitate this in May.  More info to follow

 

 

Dave introduced Shauna MacLeod of Willow Arts Community.  Shauna is the Founder and Director of Willow Arts Community.  Shauna grew up in rural Niagara finding solace in willow trees writing poetry.  Shauna believes in the power of community and the arts as support and healing for those who have mental health challenges.  Spurred by her own experiences and the loss of her brother - Shauna started the Willow Arts Community with the artistic and mental health communities in Niagara.  Shauna raises her teenage son and is proud to share the Willow Arts Story.

 

Shauna shared with the members the story of how Willow Arts Community was formed and created.  It grew out of an identified gap that existed between the needs of artists in the community and the time it took for free services for mental health.  The group was incorporated in 2016 and moved to the Rodman Hall Arts Centre in the Fall of 2016.  They are currently supported in part by a Trillium grant through until April 2021.  

 

Willow Arts provides frees classes, workshops and opportunities for beginner artists with artists in residence.  These local artisans have a lived experience and provide support to participants. 

 

Shauna shared the numbers of participants, artists and hours of studio time that support all participants.  The Willow Arts Community's work has been recognized by St Catharines Ciry Arts Awards nominations ( and winning in 2018), a Collaborative Mural in City Hall as well as being invited to perform at the First Performing Arts Centre.  

 

The current focus is on sustainability and finding funding for continuing once the Trillium grant ends.

 

Please refer to thewillowcommunity.com

 

The full presentation will be sent in a separate email to all members.  

 

Rotary Moment:  provided by Dave Schulz

• We lost Town Councilor and Rotary supporter Mike Ciolfi
• Our local paper focused volumes of negativity on a local business person and Town Councilor, without determining all of the facts or giving any benefit of the doubt to a man that is by their own admission a ‘good person’ who has contributed generously to our community
• This approach was applauded and supported by the loudest most vocal voices in our community, people who I believe are in the minority but often receive the most attention. Crisis can bring out the best in people. Fear and anger inevitably bring out the worst.
• Our President Mike was one of few with the courage (or perhaps audacity) to take the editor of the Voice to task. See his Facebook post, in my view likely the best commentary produced anywhere in Pelham this week.
• Rather than joining the tar and feathers brigade our Club has focused on providing support and hope for our local community and across Niagara. Here are a few examples:
  • The Fabric Mask Project
  • Participation in the Pelham Support Network providing deliveries to seniors
  • Provision of $1,400 in supplies to Pelham Cares using a District Grant
  • Ensuring the safe return of our exchange student to her home in Belgium
  • Deferral of the Arches project, Purse Bingo and Family FunFest to future dates so that we can focus on support to our community
  • Contribution of FunFest 2020 sponsorship funds plus $1,400 from the FunFest account to Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Niagara
  • Continued leadership to our District 7090 by DG-elect Frank who currently lives on Zoom
  • Use of Zoom meetings to provide ongoing leadership, support, learning and networking for Club members and guest speakers